Firstly the boys and I headed to Nelson Bay where I got to feel the sand and sea between my toes again. It was the first time in over two years and it was just divine. We lapped up the sunshine, sea air and everything else holidays on the coast related we possibly could in the tiny two days we had. I love the beach, it revives my soul like nothing else can. It was a heavenly few days and we'll certainly be heading back real soon I hope.

Big mental note to self... go to the beach more often Phillipa!!!!

Tried my hand at some pallet knife painting... flowers of course. I'd heard the trick with using a pallet knife is to plan, use loads of paint, be brave and go for it. And so I did...

SCARLET LETTER by PhillipaheART

And, another first... I added a little birdie to this painting titled Tweet Dreams... isn't it cute.

This is a little cropped section of the painting below before I blocked in the blue background and the white petals.

TWEET DREAMS by PhillipaheART

Then I used that same little cropped section as inspiration for the background of my next and much larger painting

It's big and bright and bold and titled Live Out Loud for obvious reasons.

Did I mention I've finally finally received a pre-approval for a loan to buy us a home of our own? Yeaaaah!!! While I simply cannot wait to find the perfect little place to make perfectly my own, a limited budget means "little" is literal and my list of "must have's" is getting smaller by the inspection. Finding the right place in the right area at the right price is proving to be a little (lot) tricky.

Never mind though.. not a bad challenge to have I guess. I've been doing lots of dream building and creative visualising, now it's time for the universe to do it's thing. "Ask, believe, let go, receive. Ask, believe, let go, receive". This is a few pages from my Dream House File...

And, once again my art came to the rescue...

This painting required more patience, perseverance and belief than any other I've done. Soooo many layers and lots of learning what doesn't work :) I so nearly gave up on it so many times... soooo glad I didn't. so glad I stuck with it, felt the frustration, disappointment and self doubt and pushed through it. Look what was waiting for me.. look what I can create when I don't give up.

I came through this painting with much more confidence in myself and more importantly patience, a calm willingness to keep going, keep trying, because you never know whats waiting for you if you don't give up.

I've named it A Bunch of Patience and Belief and like all of my paintings it is available for sale. For details... size, cost, how to purchase, head over to my Galleryif you like.

I read this book. OMG.. best book ever!!! (I know I say that about lots of books :) Basically it combines both practical and metaphysical tips to build wealth and create a pathway to financial freedom. It is so interesting, inspiring and easy to read... Sandy Forster is an Australian, a single mum who has done it tough and also done what it takes to become wildly wealthy. This book combines her wealth of knowledge with lots of fun and personal stories from her own life most of which we can all relate to as we do whatever it takes to raise a family and fulfill our own hopes and dreams.

I sold these three paintings. Huge thank you to the purchasers, Rebecca at Gemelli Estate and the Art Gods (sorry no link available :) for their support...

Can you believe it... one month gone already. Much as I love school hols it's nice to have life back to some sort of normal. There's something to be said for not having to sacrifice a brain cell or two just trying to remember what day it is!

Speaking of school... my baby (yes you'll always be my baby Mo :) started High School this year. So proud of my Mitch... he teaches us everyday to be true to ourselves and don't ever let anyone steel your car... that's Mitch speak for who you are.